Bottoms Up: The Pros Picks for Top Toilets

Picking the best toilet seems like it should be straighforward — but it isn't. Trouble is, there are many variables to consider. But at the end of the day, certain toilets tend to rise to the occasion. Terry Love, who is a plumber and plumbing blogger, loves his Toto toilets. Consumer Reports and Consumer Search, which is a meta-analysis of a whole host of reviews, also give props to some American Standard, Kohler and Gerber toilets. For the lowdown on the latest toilets, read on…

Some notes:

• Most of these toilets are low-flow or low-consumption (1.6 gallons per flush or less)• Most work by gravity not by pressure, like the older toilets. Gravity mechanisms are easier to repair and more effective but are not a great choice for homes with poor plumbing systems.• Many of these are available in either standard height or "comfort height"/ADA height, which means they sit higher off the ground. • Most come with an elongated shape or a round shape (better for smaller spaces but I find less comfortable)• Many have a special coating on the bowl itself to help prevent staining • You can choose between two-piece toilets and one-piece. The latter are generally more expensive but easier to clean and may look more sleek.